Bahian percussion
Surdo, repique, timbau and caixa — the foundation of the samba-reggae Salvador's blocos carried to the world.
Perfect for beginners, and drummers after the Bahian suingue.
Afro-Brazilian percussion · Salvador da Bahia
Play the drums of Bahia with a mestre who came up in the blocos.
In-person classes in Salvador — a group small enough to form one circle, and a plan built around you. No deposit to talk
Small groups
1,000+ students taught
No deposit to talk
Who teaches
Adson Junior "Pai de Santo"
Adson started out in 1996 with Timbalada and has since shared stages with Carlinhos Brown, Marisa Monte and Olodum, touring Europe and Asia with Brazilian dance companies. More than a thousand students have passed through his hands. In class he teaches the suingue — the feel underneath the pattern — and corrects you on the spot, with the patience of someone who has watched every beginner rush the same beat.
The Meaning
OPANIJÉ /o-pa-nee-jeh/ — a traditional Afro-Brazilian rhythm. The school carries the rhythm's name because that is what a class is: the tradition passing from hand to hand.
02
What you learn here
Pick your way in
Samba de Roda
The circle of the Recôncavo, UNESCO-listed heritage: pandeiro, viola, handclaps and the call-and-response of the chula.
Perfect for musicians, and anyone drawn to samba at the root.
Candomblé and the sacred drum
The atabaques, the orixás, and what this Afro-Brazilian faith gave the music of Bahia — a guided study, respectful and never staged.
Read the guide
04
Where we play
The city is part of the class
Salvador
Home of the blocos afro
Small groups · Beginner to advanced
From the bloco to samba de roda
Book a class in Salvador
05
Class formats
No price list. Just a plan that fits your life.
Group class
Most popularThe price comes out of the conversation: group size, frequency, schedule.
No deposit to talk. We plan first — you decide after.
Groups matched by experience level
Instruments and transport arranged per class
Times set together with the group
Private class
At your paceSolo or in a pair, on the time you actually have.
Tell us where you're headed — we'll build the plan around it. No deposit to talk
The mestre's full attention
Scheduling that follows yours
A video of your class to practice with
Questions, answered
Do I need any experience?
None at all. Most students start as complete beginners, and we group classes by level so you're always with the right people.
What should I bring?
Comfortable clothes and water. We take care of the instruments — and transport, when it's needed, goes into the plan.
How much does it cost?
There's no price list — it depends on the format, the group and how often you play. Send us a message and we'll settle it together. No deposit to talk
Where are classes held?
In Salvador. The exact spot depends on your group and format — we confirm it when we talk.
Let's plan your first class
Ready to play?
Send a message with your level and how much time you've got — we'll come back with a concrete class plan.
No deposit to talk
Instrument sorted — just show up
Prefer email?
Leave your email and we'll write you about how classes in Salvador work.